Not So Common Sense
Common Sense Census
The Common Sense Media has created a report to take a look at media use of tweens and teens during the pandemic and compare it to previous years. This report even takes a closer look at how kids are spending their time, and which media activities they enjoy most. It is finally time to see how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected kids especially with media use.
The first finding through this report was the increase of media use among tweens and teens. According to The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens, 2021 it is stated that, "Media use in tweens and teens has grown faster since the start of the pandemic than it has over the four years prior to the pandemic" (3). This entertainment screen includes time spent watching television and online videos, playing video games, using social media, browsing websites, creating content, e-reading, and other digital activities. Within the report it is also stated that, "From 2015 to 2019, total screen use among tweens increased by an average of just eight minutes a day, compared to 49 minutes in the past two years" (4). I found this extremely surprising since there was a major increase in just two years compared to four years. It makes me wonder if the pandemic did not occur, would there still be a spike in media use for tweens and teens. I certainly can see this being reflected with my own students since they always prefer to go on their Chromebooks for free time instead of playing a game or going outside. It is interesting to see how much enjoyment they get from being online whether that is to play a virtual game or watching videos on YouTube. However, I can see this exposure and experience with media to benefit their educational career since they could replicate what they are seeing online to demonstrate what they know academically. I easily could make a project that involves creating a video or game relating to a specific concept in any subject.
Another interesting part of the report would be which site kids would not want to live without. In the report it mentions, "If forced to choose, teens say YouTube is the sit that they wouldn't want to live without. In fact, watching online videos is the favorite media activity among 8-to 18-year-olds, appealing to both tweens and teens, boys and girls, and across racial/ethnic groups and income levels" (4). I believe this is due to the fact that YouTube has a variety of different videos ranging from video games, make-up tutorials, fitness activities, academics, influencers, music, arts, and so much more. My students use YouTube to listen to music as they work independently. When they earn free time, most of them watch videos on YouTube. Any time that I want to find a video for my lessons, I immediately go to YouTube.
YouTube is one site that can connect to any type of individual which would benefit kids since they are trying to figure out who they are. YouTube is a site where they can find anything that their hearts desire, and even find similar videos once they are finished. They are also able to support the creator of the video by liking it or leaving a comment. This is a prime example of an online community since all different types of people are able to connect no matter what their age, race, religion, gender, or ethnicity they are. People are able to come together to enjoy a video's content which would explain why kids love it so much. Kids love when they are able to see something that they love and share that love with others. It doesn't matter how many years go by, YouTube will continue to be elite.
The most surprising finding within this report is the lack of change where most of us have expected. The report mentions, "...despite the radical changes imposed on many young peoples' lives during the first year and a half of the pandemic, there haven't been dramatic changes in the overall patterns of media use by tweens and teens" (43). Although many of these activities have risen, the top activities have remained the same such as online videos, gaming, and social media. The general patterns between tweens and teens has simply just continued. An example that they use is video gaming since most people might have assumed that increased drastically since families had to stay home. Logically, if families are staying home then they are buying gaming consoles to be entertained. However, this was not the case since video gaming actually did not increase drastically during the pandemic. The survey also does not indicate that tweens and teens are acquiring their own tablets or smartphones. This comes to a surprise since I see my fifth graders taking out their phones five minutes before dismissal. I assumed that the pandemic caused so many of them to have a smartphone, but I seem to be wrong. I think I'm too quick to assume that the pandemic caused such a drastic change. It seems that my common sense was not so common since this report did not prove my thoughts.
Educational Technology Research
Research is important in many different aspects. It allows people to identify patterns and evaluate data that might explain the causes of any given topic. Educational technology research is extremely important for educators since it will explain the type of students that they are working with. For example, knowing which forms of technology that students use on a regular basis could be a benefit to use such technology within the classroom. It allows the teacher to focus on the content, and have students use their knowledge with technology to continue with an activity. The time spent teaching how to use a specific site or app is now being used in a more efficient way through student creativity. The more information that an educator can gain about their students, the more improvement that could be made within the classroom learning environment. Educators could also use different forms of technology that is backed up with research. This would allow for teachers to understand what benefits could be made using unknown forms of technology. Teachers are able to learn from one another especially when teaching strategies are engaging for students. Technology is very powerful to use within a lesson, but educators need to make sure that they are using them effectively and appropriately. This might be difficult if they are not aware of what a certain app or site could offer. Resources are only beneficial if the educator knows how to implement them. This is why research and sharing beneficial information is important among teachers no matter what they teach.
Hi Mirela,
ReplyDeleteI thought your post was great; I actually looked into that same data about the increase of screen time in the last two years compared to the four prior. I was surprised by it as well-it makes sense that screen time increase during the height of the pandemic, but I would have wondered if it would lower at all once the world started to open back up-obviously the data shows it did not. I will be interested to see if the trend continues moving forward. There are definitely benefits to students being familiar with technology and having that experience, because so many of the careers they will ultimately follow will have some technological component. I do worry sometimes about it becoming too much; when I see students constantly choose to spend more time in front of a screen instead of interacting with those around them, it makes me worry that tech has too great of an influence. But, I also realize that I am part of a different generation than my students, and so something that I might see as concerning might appear completely natural to them.
I also liked how you brought up creativity when it comes to tech, and how that opens up many more opportunities for students, especially as teachers get more comfortable with knowing how to use technology effectively. As you noted, keeping up with research is a great way for teachers to understand the ways in which technology tools can be leveraged to their greatest potential!
It's not surprising that technology use increased during the pandemic. What else did we have to do since everything was closed?! For me, I'm most interested in seeing a report five years from now: will the technology use by teens and tweens continue to climb, or will we see things level off once again? It's also fun to wonder what new tool will grab their attention by then.
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